Top 5 Beginner Beaders Questions

1. What do I need buy to make my own handmade jewelry?

If you are doing this as a hobby, many craft stores offer a basic beading kit. You can start out with this and then buy more professional equipment later on.

The kit typically includes beads, pendants, round nose pliers, flat pliers, 1 or 2 packages of wires, clasps, and other findings. You can make about a couple of necklaces, abracelet, and earrings from the kit.

2. What beads should I use?

It all depends on how you want to design your handmade jewelry. Seed beads and light weight beads are best to start with. For beginners, consider making smaller pieces that you will be comfortable wearing yourself. That way if you decide to sell them later on, you can guarantee that your handmade jewelry is functional to the wearer.

3. Where do I get beads?

You can get beads at any store that sells arts and crafts. You can even find some at Wal-mart. However, if you are looking for more variety stick with the craft stores.

4. What wire should I use for my handmade jewelry project?

There are various types of wires. For stringing, you can use a stringing wire such as tiger tail, 49 strand, 7 strand etc. As a beginner, try using tiger tail or 49 strand wires for small bead projects. These wires are flexible and easily manipulated.

As mentioned, a jewelry kit will normally have stringing wire included in it. You can start out with those wires and purchase new ones once you get the hang of it.

5. Which toggle or clasps should I use?

This would depend on your jewelry design. I would suggest to start out with the lobster clasp as it is the most popular clasp for jewelry. You can also start with toggle claps, but I found that it was easier using the lobster clasp when starting out. Either way, both clasps will do well in all your handmade jewelry projects.




Making your own jewelry should be fun. Try not to sweat out the details too much as only practice will perfect your handmade jewelry craft.

How to wear custom jewelry

We all love jewelry from manufactured pieces to custom handcrafted jewelry. One thing we need to consider is that the jewelry piece should work with not only our clothes, but also our own body.

Chunky jewelry works best with those with strong bone structure. This mixes well with thicker fabrics, plaids and bold patterns. If you're going for a casual look, a chunky piece of jewelry is a great choice.

Elegant fine jewelry works well with fine bone structure and is appropriate for all occasions. This includes pieces like fine gold and silver chains with a simple pendant. You can wear this with thin fabrics, small stripes and delicate patterns.

Large handcrafted or handmade jewelry are best suited for taller individuals. This goes well with casual looks, but at the same time create a dramatic look for the wearer.

Small handcrafted jewelry are suited for with shorter individuals looking for jewelry for any occasion. The type of fabric should have small patterns to avoid overpowering the look of the piece.

The art of wearing jewelry can be tricky. And it may take time to find the right one that fits both your clothes and body type. I hope that some of these rules can be of use when deciding what type of jewelry to wear.

As posted on Serenbeadity website.

Important qualities for jewelry design

Individuality, design, functionality, and quality make your handmade jewelry unique from other designers. In order to appeal to customers and potential customers, ensure to keep up to date with fashion trends and what the market demands.

The fashion industry is always changing which also changes people’s tastes and wants. However, there are times that fashion comes back into the current trend. Perhaps a jewelry piece you’ve made 10 years ago can now be re-introduced to latest style trends.Think about how antiques are always in style even after so many years.

Keep in mind though that a piece that you want to last for a long time should be made with quality materials. Many manufacturers of beads and stringing materials now make their products stronger in order to withstand the test of time. Offer customers tips on how to care for their  handmade jewelry that way they feel that the piece they purchased has special value to you.

Following trends, choosing quality beads, and adopting new techniques will also keep your jewelry pieces fresh and unique. This adds value to your work to a potential customer. Keeping these simple tips in mind will give you the individuality and quality people look for in any handmade jewelry design.

This article originally came from Serenbeadity http://site1.deer-creek.ca